New release clause catches Chelsea attention in transfer deja-vu after Crystal Palace compromise

There is a higher release clause in the new deal Michael Olise signed with Crystal Palace after rejecting a move to Chelsea this summer, it has been revealed.

While the value of the new clause is not known, it is claimed to be bigger than the £35m one Chelsea activated in August. The news has come from the Evening Standard, which relays that Chelsea are still admirers of Olise.

The new exit clause, which would once again enable them to bypass negotiations with Crystal Palace, would only become active next summer, rather than in the next transfer window in January.

Whether Chelsea look to activate it, after angering Palace with their previous approach for Olise, remains to be seen. The report confirms they maintain an interest in the attacking midfielder, but may need him less now that they have taken Cole Palmer from Manchester City instead.

Nevertheless, if anyone activates Olise’s release clause next summer, it will be up to the player, and not his current employers, about whether or not to accept the move.

Along with an improved salary, perhaps the inclusion of a new exit clause was the kind of compromise Palace had to make in order to keep Olise at the club for longer.

Since joining them from Reading in 2021, he has played 71 times for the club, contributing 19 assists and six goals. His new terms have tied him to the club until 2027, but obviously Palace will be powerless next summer if their new valuation is met.

The report does not mention any other potential suitors in addition to Chelsea for Olise. Presumably, though, if he picks his form back up after recovering from an injury, he will be of interest to many.

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